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2:12 AM, Sunday March 28th 2021

Personal view is that would be a waste of a good sketchbook. However there are practical reasons for using printer paper too. The finish of printer paper works well with the fineliners. You get crisper lines than perhaps you would with sketchbook paper designed for softer mediums like graphite or pastel. Using cheap paper also means you worry less about wasting paper which can inhibit your confidence when learning. This could be a real detriment to your progress.

I went through a lot of paper so far. I have passed lesson 4 and have used hundreds of sheets for practice. I enjoy the process of doing the practice and putting the practice pages into recycling. It felt I was absorbing the practice and moving on.

That's my experience. Maybe Uncomfortable has a different view.

2:25 AM, Sunday March 28th 2021

Thank you for your response!

The sketch book that I'm referring to is specifically designed to be used with fineliners/ink and has a wonderfully smooth surface. https://www.cottonwoodarts.com/collections/all/c-series

My concern is whether or not they'll insist that I use printer paper for the official critiques. You're right, it's probably a waste of a good sketchbook in some ways (it's not cheap, that's for sure)...but I really love the idea of being able to go back and see how far I've come in one easy place rather than having a bunch of loose printer paper that I'm bound to lose. Also, if it's in a book like this then I'll be less inclined to want to discard my work and start over.

2:45 AM, Sunday March 28th 2021

I don't think it will matter for that purpose if that's what you want to do. I think many people may start out with this idea of the work being precious but it really isn't. It's the process and brain changes that are the reward.

Good luck whatever you choose. It is hard work but the benefit is huge.

2:53 AM, Sunday March 28th 2021

I really appreciate you giving feedback so quickly! I'm looking forward to getting into the lessons and seeing my improvements over time. I'm a software developer by trade but the idea of signing off of computers and drawing for hours sounds so relaxing. Of course I'm really new and can't draw much of anything well yet, but I hope to develop my skills over time.

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